Overview
The more you know about how to recycle – as well as practical information like collection schedules – the easier it is to do your part to keep our city and our environment clean. So get into recycling. Here’s important information that can help:
Recycling has its rewards!
You can earn rewards when you and your neighbors recycle – including gift cards, gift certificates and discounts. It’s easy. All you need is a Philadelphia Recycling Rewards sticker on your recycling container. Check out the details
here.
Recycle single stream every week!
Put your recycling bin out every week on the same day as trash day. It's the future of recycling, and it keeps getting easier! Remember, all recycling in Philadelphia is now single stream, meaning you can put all of your recyclables together in one bin--cans, glass, mixed paper, cardboard and most plastic containers – no need to sort or separate them. And if one recycling bin isn’t enough to hold everything, just add another one.
Whether you’re a regular recycler or a first-timer, keep this information handy about what you can recycle:
Metal:
Tin and aluminum cans, empty aerosol cans, empty paint cans
Glass:
Jars and bottles
Mixed Paper:
Newspaper, magazines, mail (junk and personal), phone books, food boxes (remove plastic liner), computer paper, flyers, wrapping paper (no foil or plastic wrap), soda and beer cartons (no food-soiled paper, please!)
Plastic Containers:
Recycle All Household Plastic Containers!
#1: Soda and water bottles, condiment and peanut butter jars, etc.
#2: Milk, water and juice jugs, detergents, shampoo bottles, dairy product containers, flower pots, some household cleaners
#3: Rigid plastic containers and juice bottles
#4: Plastic tubs and lids from butter, margarine or similar products
#5: Yogurt containers and deli trays
#6: Plastic cups, plates and to-go containers
#7: Many mixed plastic containers and plastic products
To learn more about what plastics you can recycle, download the Plastics Recycling Fact Sheet (pdf)
Cardboard:
Empty and flattened
What you can’t recycle:
Metal:
Aluminum foil, pots/pans, paper clips
Glass:
Light bulbs, window glass
Mixed Paper:
Hard back books, tissues, paper
towels, napkins, wax-coated cups or
containers, food-soiled paper, fi le folders
Plastic:
Styrofoam, plastic bags, PVC pipe, packing inserts or “peanuts.”
Other:
Styrofoam, chemicals, rubber, wood,
and ceramic or porcelain plates or cups containers
How do I separate trash from recyclables?
It's easiest to have a container or two set up where separation happens. Like a bin in the kitchen for bottles and cans you’ve washed out, and another in the office for used paper and mail. Just remember that with single stream recycling, it can all go in the same bin – we do the sorting for you.
What types of containers can I use for recyclables?
You can use any sturdy plastic or metal container that holds 32 gallons or less and just mark it with the word "RECYCLING" on its side. Don't use cardboard boxes as containers--they'll end up wet, split open and make a mess on your sidewalk. Instead, flatten them and place them in your bin to be recycled with your bottles, cans and paper. If one bin is not enough to hold all recyclables, simply add another one.
Where do I get a recycling bin?
The City will give you a recycling bin at any of
these locations. But you don't have to have one of ours. You can use any rigid household container (no larger than 32 gallons), as long as you write "RECYCLING" on it.
For more information, call the Philadelphia Recycling Hotline at 215-685-RECYCLE (7329). Or visit PhillyRecyclingPAYS.com